The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation
The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California. Started in 2018 by Delle Maxwell and Pat Hanrahan, it supports people working in field-based science, art and craft, teaching, and protection of the natural world.
The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation at a glance
In short: The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation gave $14.3M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $14.3M), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,280,509
- +79.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,280,509
- +79.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,280,509
- Total assets
- $561,446,478
- +78.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1517 N Point Street 516, San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 965-3160
Website: https://www.maxwell-hanrahan.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Grant Paid - See Attachment a ($14.3M).
Grant Size Distribution
265 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 228 grants of 265 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its field research fellowships and internships as supporting opportunities at U.S.-based research institutions, and its small grants for field biologists as available around the world. The sole grant itemized for filing year 2024 was recorded for a recipient in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation gives
- Giving grew 529% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $740K (2020) to $14.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $14.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Paid - See Attachment a San Francisco, CA | See Detail on Attachment B | $14,280,509 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $561,446,478 | $481,434,879 | $24,644,264 | $14,280,509 | 1 | $16,631,675 | $260,473,154 | $19,195,309 |
| 2023 | $315,052,824 | $85,984,420 | $14,880,244 | $7,975,759 | 1 | $9,962,895 | $119,691,433 | $11,629,241 |
| 2022 | $202,514,873 | $-7,149,866 | $8,328,224 | $4,622,575 | 164 | $6,578,894 | $2,203,306 | $10,515,932 |
| 2021 | $236,528,130 | $111,487,750 | $5,858,197 | $2,269,520 | 81 | $2,979,543 | $152,765,831 | $5,755,719 |
| 2020 | $123,448,097 | $107,500,301 | $1,696,913 | $740,000 | 18 | — | $51,964,093 | $1,251,848 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s four broad areas of interest are field-based science, art and craft, teaching, and protection of the natural world. Its programs include Craft, Diversity & Inclusion in Art, Design and Computing, Earth Science, Field Biology, Food, Public School Teachers, and Resilient Ecosystems.
In field biology, the Foundation’s awards recognize researchers doing hands-on field research whose work is under-appreciated, at an early career or critical stage, and marked by curiosity. These are one-time, unrestricted awards. The Foundation also supports undergraduate- and graduate-level field research fellowships and internships at U.S.-based research institutions, as well as small grants for field biologists around the world to address immediate obstacles such as obtaining equipment, gear, or materials.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported one grant totaling $14,280,509. The filing identifies the recipient as “GRANT PAID - SEE ATTACHMENT A” in San Francisco, California, and gives the purpose as “SEE DETAIL ON ATTACHMENT B.” The recipient and purpose are not further identified in the available information.
The Foundation’s website lists 2026 grants including $25,000 to Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust for an internship in its fisheries workforce development and crew training program, and $1,200,000 to Alliance for California Traditional Arts over three years to support its Apprenticeship and Taproot Fellowship programs. Other listed 2026 grants include $150,000 to the American Museum of Natural History over three years for teacher participation in Urban Advantage, and $100,000 to Black in Marine Science over two years for participants in its Tidal Wave mentoring program and science illustration interns.
For the Field Biology Awards, candidates must be early in their careers or at an important career junction and conduct research through hands-on fieldwork. Self-nominations are not allowed; nominators confidentially identify nominees, and a selection committee recommends awardees. The Foundation says it makes grants by inviting external experts and staff from relevant fields to recommend projects and institutions for funding.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Delle Maxwell as president and Patrick Hanrahan as secretary and treasurer.
The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation is led by Delle Maxwell, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Delle Maxwell
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Hanrahan
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary & CFO → Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation
How much does The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation give each year?
The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation gave $14.3M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8.0M across 1 grant.
How large is The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation?
The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation reported $561.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $16.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s four broad areas of interest are field-based science, art and craft, teaching, and protection of the natural world. Its programs include Craft, Diversity & Inclusion in Art, Design and Computing, Earth Science, Field Biology, Food, Public School Teachers, and Resilient Ecosystems. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation make grants?
The Foundation describes its field research fellowships and internships as supporting opportunities at U.S.-based research institutions, and its small grants for field biologists as available around the world. The sole grant itemized for filing year 2024 was recorded for a recipient in California.
What is The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation's EIN?
The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2118884. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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